From Cassandra Szklarski of the Canadian Press:

• ‘Battle of the Blades’ eyes franchise possibilities as season winds down
  “CBC’s skating hit “Battle of the Blades” is heating up off the ice, with talks underway to mount the elimination-style reality series in other countries, executive producer John Brunton said Wednesday.” Read more.

From a media release:

A THREE-WAY SHOWDOWN, SPECIAL GUESTS AND GROUP NUMBERS CELEBRATE THE BATTLE OF THE BLADES FINALE

• Canadians to decide who of the remaining three pairs will win $100,000 for charity

The final decision will be in the hands of Canadians, Sunday, Nov. 15, as they choose who of the remaining three pairs will win BATTLE OF THE BLADES, at Toronto’s historic Maple Leaf Gardens. Results will then be announced during a full-blown ice extravaganza, which is set for the series finale, Monday, Nov. 16. Both shows start at 8 p.m., on CBC Television.

The final battle begins on Sunday, when the following three remaining pairs will perform to music of their choice: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Claude Lemieux, Marie-France Dubreuil and Stéphane Richer, and Jamie Salé and Craig Simpson. Competition shifts to collaboration after the individual performances when the members of all three pairs join together for a special group performance. The evening will also begin in style with a special group number featuring the men from BATTLE OF THE BLADES.

Continue reading Battle of the Blades finale turns into three-way showdown →

From the Canadian Press:

• Underhill and Martini to reunite for ‘Battle of the Blades’ finale
  “Skating legends Barb Underhill and Paul Martini are reuniting for a special performance on the finale of CBC’s Battle of the Blades.” Read more.

From Micheline Maynard of the New York Times:

• Opposites on Ice Find a New Rhythm Together
  “It now seems like such a brilliant idea that it is a surprise no one had thought of it before: pairing figure skaters with hockey players for ice dancing routines in the ultimate ice rink reality show.” Read more.

From Kathy Rumleski of the London Free Press:

• Blades of the Blades warms up icy rivalry
  “Chatham native Shae-Lynn Bourne says the competition has the hockey players believing that figure skating could have helped them with their careers.” Read more.

From a media release:

ALL THREE REMAINING PAIRS ADVANCE TO THE BATTLE OF THE BLADES FINALE

• Injury to Marie-France Dubreuil leaves the decision in Canada’s hands

As a result of a back injury sustained earlier today, Marie-France Dubreuil was unable to skate in the scheduled Monday night skate-off on BATTLE OF THE BLADES. Judge Sandra Bezic declared all remaining three pairs safe for this week, leaving the decision to Canadians to decide next week which pair will win $100,000 for the charity of their choice.

Continue reading Status quo on Battle of the Blades →